Seniors, What Can You Say About Having Children?

I always wanted to have kids but by my mid-forties I was still single and had to give up on that dream. I tried hard to convince myself I was okay to not have children, but then I discovered single people could foster-adopt and after a few years of not getting to keep a foster child I finally got a keeper and although there were some extremely trying and even scary moments, she made it through all the PTSD stuff and teenage issues and now she is an awesome young adult.
 
One thing I can say about having children as compared to when I used to babysit and care for other people's children, when it comes to your own, what a reality check that is.

Unlike babysitting where you walk away at the end of a babysitting stint, with your own, you're stuck with them 24/7/365. LOL!

No escaping the crying, the wet and dirty diapers, the bottles, the soiled crib sheets, the laundry, and everything in between.
 
I couldn't wait to have babies, which is why I rushed into marriage. I thoroughly enjoyed being a mother, but I wish I had waited until I had met a man who would be a better father.
As for the experience of childbirth, it's different for everyone. Some women have a terrible time, others have no problems.
 
Rosemarie said:
I couldn't wait to have babies, which is why I rushed into marriage. I thoroughly enjoyed being a mother, but I wish I had waited until I had met a man who would be a better father.
As for the experience of childbirth, it's different for everyone. Some women have a terrible time, others have no problems.
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I was the same, Rosemarie.

Having spent so many years caring for other people's babies in their home, I was excited to have my very own crying and kicking bundles of joy in my very own home.
 
Aunt Marg said:
I was the same, Rosemarie.

Having spent so many years caring for other people's babies in their home, I was excited to have my very own crying and kicking bundles of joy in my very own home.
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I was the eldest child in my family and the only girl. There was quite a gap between me and the youngest and I was like a second mother to him. I took him everywhere with me!
 
Rosemarie said:
I was the eldest child in my family and the only girl. There was quite a gap between me and the youngest and I was like a second mother to him. I took him everywhere with me!
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Your story is mine, Rosemarie.

Grew up in a home with four baby siblings, so this big sister was doing it all by age 8-9.

Making bottles, changing diapers (old-fashioned cotton-fold diapers, diaper pins, and rubber pants), taking them out for baby stroller/baby carriage rides, taking them to the park, and whatever else needed doing, and Friday night was always babysitting night for me.

Did you have a hand in the feeding, changing, and other miscellaneous baby-care, too, Rosemarie?
 
Aunt Marg said:
Your story is mine, Rosemarie.

Grew up in a home with four baby siblings, so this big sister was doing it all by age 8-9. Making bottles, changing diapers (old-fashioned fold and pin diapers with rubber pants), taking them out for baby stroller/baby carriage rides, taking them to the park, and whatever else needed doing, and Friday night was always babysitting night for me.

Did you have a hand in the feeding and changing of your baby siblings, too, Rosemarie?
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Yes, but I didn't do as much as you. Changing nappies and potty training, and unpaid baby-sitting, but I never actually made up a feed.
 
Rosemarie said:
Yes, but I didn't do as much as you. Changing nappies and potty training, and unpaid baby-sitting, but I never actually made up a feed.
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OMG, yes, and toilet training, too, I so remember!

Also was unpaid for all the babysitting I did, though mom was good about doing little things for me when she could.

Making up bottles and warming them was a job of mine starting when I was age 8-9, but by the time I was age 10-11, I was making baby formula on my own.

Darned good pre-motherhood experience it was, Rosemarie!
 
Aunt Marg said:
OMG, yes, and toilet training, too, I so remember!

Also was unpaid for all the babysitting I did, though mom was good about doing little things for me when she could.

Making up bottles and warming them was a job of mine starting when I was age 8-9, but by the time I was age 10-11, I was making baby formula on my own.

Darned good pre-motherhood experience it was, Rosemarie!
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It also taught me how to be a better mother to my own children. My first was a girl but I never expected her to take care of the younger ones.
Also my mother used to snoop around my bedroom while I was at school. She once gave me a diary for Christmas, then complained that I hadn't used it!
 
Rosemarie said:
It also taught me how to be a better mother to my own children. My first was a girl but I never expected her to take care of the younger ones.
Also my mother used to snoop around my bedroom while I was at school. She once gave me a diary for Christmas, then complained that I hadn't used it!
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I couldn't agree more.

My oldest daughter was around the same age I was when her last two baby brothers were born, and she couldn't wait to get started making bottles and changing diapers.

She was already bugging me to start babysitting at the time, so I told her that when she learned how to do all that was required to care for a baby, I'd allow her to start babysitting.

Her first babysitting job was for my SIL shortly after.
 
Rosemarie said:
It also taught me how to be a better mother to my own children. My first was a girl but I never expected her to take care of the younger ones.
Also my mother used to snoop around my bedroom while I was at school. She once gave me a diary for Christmas, then complained that I hadn't used it!
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Must have been the generation, because my mom did that, too.

Me, along with all of my siblings.
 
I had my son when I was 33 and 2 months after he was born his father was killed in Viet Nam. While I did contemplate remarriage a couple of times, I pulled back as I did not want another man raising our boy. He has turned out well. A decent, caring man with his own IT business. He was widowed a couple of years ago and they did not have children. But he's starting to see people and getting a social life again. I am proud of him and his accomplishments. He loves his mom and she loves him dearly.
 
Lewkat said:
I had my son when I was 33 and 2 months after he was born his father was killed in Viet Nam. While I did contemplate remarriage a couple of times, I pulled back as I did not want another man raising our boy. He has turned out well. A decent, caring man with his own IT business. He was widowed a couple of years ago and they did not have children. But he's starting to see people and getting a social life again. I am proud of him and his accomplishments. He loves his mom and she loves him dearly.
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Beautiful ❤️
 
JonDouglas said:
I think that not having children causes you to miss much of what life is all about. We were fortunate having three who never got into serious trouble, were successful and still seem to like us. They call or check in at least once a week.
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My story also ... my husband is deceased, and I rely on my children and and their kids for mental support all the time.
Just cannot imagine what I would be feeling w/o them in my life. Talk with them all the time.

I have one 13 yr. old granddaughter that has so much going on in her life these days, like most teenagers, but she always calls me every week to check in ... melts my heart. 💕
 
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I had my three while still in my teens. It was really tough being a disabled teen mum but with my mother's help I made it through. They've all turned into caring loving adults with good jobs and I have daily contact with all three. Even though it was hard I personally wouldn't have it any other way. And now of course I have the bonus of grandchildren. I love them all but miss being able to see them regularly.
 

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